Defence against mini drones
This article from the series of the Cluster Special Projects in the specialised area Command and Control Systems aims to introduce readers to the world of mini drone defence. How can drone attacks be successfully averted? And where does today’s technology stand in the battle against drone attacks? The project Defence Against Mini Drones attempts to answer these and other questions.
Stefan Keller, Head of specialised area Command and Control Systems, Competence domain Command and Control and Reconnaissance Systems
The propagation of commercial drones has increased dramatically over the last few years. The availability and the associated increase in the potential threat are increasingly being recognised as a threat to the task forces in all situations.
The potential threat concerns both the forces on the ground as well aerodromes and flight operation as such.
Joint Operations Command intends to procure systems for defence against mini drones as part of a project in the area of (mini) drone defence for the protection of critical infrastructures, but also for the self-protection of troops, as well as for the safeguarding of aerodromes.
Expressed in simplistic terms, drone defence consists of the detection, a verification and the intervention/defence of a target. The strengths of the specialist area Command and Control Systems lie in the area of detection (sensory analysis) and verification (operational picture and decision support).
The specialist area Command and Control Systems is responsible for the project, and will carry out procurement with specialists from Radar and Optronics. However, further partners from other competence domains will be consulted here as necessary.
In parallel, Science and Technology is working together with various industry partners and educational institutes in this subject area within the framework of research projects. In addition, the Swiss Drone and Robotics Centre (SDRC) is also actively supporting us in the project.
The competence domain Aeronautical Systems is responsible for purchasing mini drones, so that expertise with regard to a potential threat is being built up there.
Process for defence against mini drones
The project Defence Against Mini Drones contains the process steps shown in colour: detection, tracking, classification, identification and neutralisation.
Description of the drone defence process
| Designation | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Prevention | Preventative measures: To reduce the risk through negligence: for example, setting up no-fly zones, information on rules of behaviour. To reduce the risk of damage: such as structural measures, camouflage, tactics. |
Brochure with rules of behaviour for pilots. |
| Detection | The detection of objects in the airspace. Detection is characterised by the detection rate and false alarm rate. |
Discover an object in the airspace using radar. |
| Tracking | Tracking the target with sensors as well as calculation with regard to estimating the trajectory of the target. | Tracking the target using radar and automatic tracking of a camera. |
| Classification | Classification of objects into predefined classes using certain characteristics. | Einteilung eines Objektes als Drohne oder als Vogel mittels der Sensorik. |
| Identification | Extrapolation of characteristics of the drone, for example, with regard to number of rotors, model, load capacity, friend/foe, including localisation of the pilot or estimation of intentions. | With cooperative targets: Reading out drone identification for unique identification purposes using the serial number. With non-cooperative targets: Identification as product XY using various sensor information. |
| Neutralisation | Neutralisation of the danger through proportionate action (soft or hard kill). | Soft kill: Dazzling the cameras of a spy drone or jamming the GPS signal. Hard kill: Shooting down the target drone by kinetic means. |
| Evaluation | Evaluation of the damage, the collateral damage of the target drones etc. | Evaluation of the log files of the drone to determine the location or to read out further information. |
The three main components of drone defence
An overall system for defence against drones is based on three main technical components:
- the sensors for perceiving the environment and detecting possible targets,
- the core in the version of a command and control system as an interface between sensors, effectors and the operator (Command and Control – C2) as well as
- the effectors for combating targets.
Sensory analysis
The sensors have to detect, localise, track, classify and identify the drones.
Command and control system
The command and control system (C2 system) has to analyse/evaluate and present the information from the sensors and propose courses of action or even execute them in some cases.
Effectors
The effectors have to reduce or neutralise the threat.
Different versions of a drone defence system
Different versions of a drone defence system: The simplest version on the far left contains an airspace observer for reporting drones and for alerting purposes. In the second version, the person uses technical sensors to improve their perception, but does not yet have the means to neutralise a threat. A further option is to equip persons with effectors, such as net pistols or net guns. A more comprehensive system (far right) for defence contains various sensors and effector systems as well as a C2 system. How complex the versions are for an effective defence is determined by the respective scenario.
Project Defence Against Mini Drones
In the project Defence Against Mini Drones, systems are to be procured to ensure protection of critical infrastructures, military aerodromes or protection of events by the Land Forces, Air Force or military police. As this is a new skill in the Armed Forces, skill building should be ensured. Fedpol has also already contacted us and expressed interest in participating in the project.
